After barely six months on the University of Minnesota campus, Chilly BillyâÄôs has already managed to scoop the hearts of the schoolâÄôs greek community.
The Dinkytown frozen yogurt shop is quickly becoming the biggest fundraising sponsor for fraternities and sororities. Three chapters have held events with the restaurant so far this semester.
While most chapters turn to restaurants around the University to raise money, Chilly BillyâÄôs has become one of the most popular to work with.
âÄúChilly BillyâÄôs has done a really good job of making it known that theyâÄôre really willing and excited about working with our chapters,âÄù said Panhellenic Council President Meg McMurray.
Groups holding fundraisers with Chilly BillyâÄôs keep 10 percent of whatever money they bring in during the event.
âÄúItâÄôs a win-win thing,âÄù said owner Bill Marker.
Marker said the events are also a great way to bring in new clientele.
âÄúEverybody has fun and we like to get people into the store,âÄù he said.
The fraternity Sigma Chi worked with Chilly BillyâÄôs in September in a âÄúsort of testing-the-waters event,âÄù and raised about $50.
âÄúIt was a pretty manageable event, as the Chilly BillyâÄôs folks are easy to work with,âÄù said President Colin Burke in an email.
In addition to Sigma Chi, the frozen yogurt parlor also worked with Alpha Phi and Pi Kappa Alpha. Outside of the greek community, Chilly BillyâÄôs has held events with the student groups Hillel and Undergraduate Women In Business.
In comparison, Buffalo Wild Wings, another popular restaurant sponsor, has yet to hold any events with greek organizations this semester, though they do have two planned for later this fall, according to a spokesperson for the restaurant.
The sorority Delta Gamma will join the growing list of student groups who have worked with Chilly BillyâÄôs, holding an event Oct. 13 to kick off their multiday philanthropy event Anchor Splash.
âÄúItâÄôs a great opportunity,âÄù McMurray said. âÄúTheyâÄôre really excited to help us out. And people want to go to [the event] as well, because people love eating there.âÄù
Marker said he loves helping the greek community. His brother is a University graduate and a Sigma Chi alumnus, and some of his current and former employees are involved with greek organizations on campus.
âÄúI think itâÄôs cool that there are fraternities and sororities [on campus]. You get to know people and all that good stuff,âÄù Marker said. âÄúI went to [the University of Minnesota, Duluth] and they didnâÄôt have that.âÄù
Marker said Chilly BillyâÄôs works to be a part of the community, going to sporting events and taking part in the homecoming parade. Marker is also part of the Dinkytown Business Association.
âÄúWe want to be a part of the community,âÄù Marker said. âÄúWe just love the area. I love Dinkytown.âÄù
